Remote Online Notary Signed by Florida Governor
Last week was a big week for FLTA legislative priorities where on Friday, Governor DeSantis signed into law HB 409 authorizing the use of remote online notarization by Florida notaries. The law will go into effect on January 1, 2020. FLTA will now be shifting gears to focus on rule making and an education program for certification.
As an FLTA priority, FLTA would like to thank Governor DeSantis, Senator Brandes, Representatives Perez and Grant, and leadership for their continued support in this legislation.
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ALTA Names New CEO, Diane Tomb
ALTA announced it has named Diane Tomb as its new chief executive officer, effective July 1.
Tomb, who has over 20 years of experience in the housing field, will leverage her deep advocacy and public policy expertise on behalf of ALTA and its members.
"Diane is a recognized leader who understands the intersection of politics and business and the importance of informed public policy advocacy. She is the right person to lead ALTA and build on its successful legacy,” said Cynthia Durham Blair NTP, ALTA’s president. "Diane was a unanimous selection by the Board, and we expect her leadership and entrepreneurial spirit will immediately benefit our members, demonstrate our value to prospective members and continue ALTA’s tradition of strong advocacy on behalf of the land title insurance and settlement services industry."
Read full press release.
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FLTA Launches Cyber Awareness Video - Talk with Your Real Estate Professional
As cyber fraud, wire fraud, and email spoofing continues to rise, FLTA has assembled a video highlighting the importance of talking with your real estate professional.
Industry professionals are encouraged to share this video on your own social platforms to promote the importance of verifying communications over the phone.
This issue is larger than any one company and we need to educate together.
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Title Industry of Florida PAC Sets Goal
The Title Industry of Florida Political Action Committee (TIFPAC) has set a goal of raising $100,000 for the 2020 campaign cycle. TIFPAC is an extension of the Florida Land Title Association focused on working with current and future legislators on protecting the integrity of public records, the consumer and the title industry.
Support TIFPAC today!
Supporting TIFPAC is supporting your business; stronger together.
Contributions are not tax-deductible for business expenses and can be made online. Individual and corporate contributions accepted at all levels. Sponsored by Title Industry of Florida PAC.
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Save the Date
November 11-13, 2019
St. Petersburg, Florida
Registration Opens Soon!
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2 Ways to Report Unlawful Inducements
See something, say something.
FLTA has worked hard in offering feedback over the years to help amend the Unlawful Inducement and Rebate Rule and now, as an added value, representatives may submit anonymously by emailing Anonymous@FLTA.org. Through this process FLTA will remove your information and forward your complaint directly to DFS for their consideration.
When submitting through normal channels or anonymously it is vitally important to:
- include as much information as possible;
- include specific details of events
- include photos, documents, flyers, etc.
Furthermore, when submitting a complaint anonymously it is also important to understand you will not receive status updates of the progress being made in your case. Of course, you may still request to be anonymous when submitting directly to DFS. Ways to submit a complaint:
Submit to FLTA Anonymously:
Submit directly to DFS:
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CORRECTION - Florida Eliminates Doc Stamps for Intra-Spousal Transfers
The strike-through identifying the removal of the one (1) year was not included last month.
Last month, Gov. DeSantis signed into law a broad-base relief tax package that includes language spearheaded by Past President Skip Straus removing the intra-spousal tax. This has been a long standing initiative of FLTA and the association would like to thank the leadership of Rep. Yarborough (R-Jacksonville) and Sen. Stargel (R-Lakeland) for leadership in removing this burden. In HB 7123, Section 4 reads:
Section 4. Effective July 1, 2019, paragraph (b) of
subsection (7) of section 201.02, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
201.02 Tax on deeds and other instruments relating to real
property or interests in real property.—
(7) Taxes imposed by this section do not apply to:
(b) A deed or other instrument that transfers or conveys
homestead property or any interest in homestead property between spouses, if the only consideration for the transfer or conveyance is the amount of a mortgage or other lien encumbering the homestead property at the time of the transfer or conveyance and if the deed or other instrument is recorded within 1 year after the date of the marriage. This paragraph applies to transfers or conveyances from one spouse to another, from one spouse to both spouses, or from both spouses to one spouse. For the purpose of this paragraph, the term "homestead property" has the same meaning as the term "homestead" as defined in s.192.001.
Read the full Senate Press Release outlining the tax relief package.
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Register for Upcoming Events
Lunch and Learn
June 13 - PACE in West Palm Beach with Ygrene (SOLD OUT)
Annual Convention
Save the Date - November 11-13, 2019
St. Petersburg, Florida
